SDF

CHOE Uzong’s first exposure to music was through the violin, which he learned before going on to composition, then to theater. Drawing on these experiences, he has built his career mainly in opera, musicals, and music theater, while also exploring crossover collaborations with the visual arts. In addition, as a programmer for the Tongyeong International Music Festival since its inception as well as artistic director of the festival’s in-house performance group Ensemble TIMF, Uzong has partnered with countless local and international composers, artist groups, and event organizers to promote the advancement of modern music. Recently, he has been working to experiment with and recreate “opera” as a multidimensional, open concept that can speak to the most divisive issues of the 21st century. The keyword guiding his effort is “media” – that is, opera as a form of media, and one which Uzong harnesses to examine the newly changing relationship between humans and art.

In addition to the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Young Artist of Today Award, Uzong’s distinctions include finalist for the Gaudeamus Award as well as ISCM World Music Days, Manchester, and first place in composition at the Dong-A Music Competition.

Major Works

Opera: 1945, As the Moon Flowing on the Water, Love Letter
Musicals: Gwangju, Ophelia, A Dragon Lives in Hyeongsangang River, Gung-Ri, Happy Prince
Music Theater: Jeok-Ro(Song of Dewdrops), Birth, Francisca, Rose, Hebrew Melodies
Multimedia Performances: Mr. Q, Play Bach in Makye-dong, Replica: Echo et Narcisse
Other: Chu-Seon(Autumn Fan), Preludes for Piano